Mitchell wins Texas Farm Bureau Discussion Meet

(FRISCO, Texas)—Justin Mitchell of Smith County won the 2017 Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) Discussion Meet during the organization’s 84th annual meeting. The winner was announced during the meeting’s Dec. 3 general session in Frisco.

Mitchell is a lease operator for XTO Energy. He and his wife, Kacy, manage their cow-calf and hay operation in Tyler.

In addition to his career in the oil field and production agriculture, Mitchell is active in the Smith County Farm Bureau, where he participates in agricultural advocacy at the local and state level. He is also a member of AgLead XIII, TFB’s leadership program for farmers and ranchers ages 18-40.

TFB’s Discussion Meet encourages problem solving through cooperative discussion among young farmers and ranchers. Four finalists discussed ways to get more first generation farmers and ranchers involved in production agriculture.

The finalists held a 25-minute conversation and were scored based on their speaking skills, effective problem solving and cooperative communication with other contestants.

Mitchell will receive an ATV, courtesy of Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company, and a $5,000 cash award, courtesy of Farm Credit.

The Discussion Meet finalists were Josh Ritchey of Erath County, Preston Sturdivant of Anderson County and Kacy Mitchell of Smith County.

The three finalists will receive a $500 cash award, courtesy of Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company, and a power tool, courtesy of Grainger.

Justin Mitchell of Smith County was named the 2017 Texas Farm Bureau Discussion Meet winner at the organization’s 84th annual meeting in Frisco.